Theme: The Organization
Features
In Conversation: Paul Martin, Minister of Finance
By Ed Pearce
In a wide-ranging interview with Business Journal Publisher Ed Pearce, one of Canada's most respected political figures offers his views on third-world debt forgiveness, the G 7 and G 8, globalization, managing a surplus and other complex, and at times, intractable, issues. Mr. Martin goes beyond explanations and provides astute analysis and eminently sound solutions to many of these important geopolitical issues.
The e-volving Organization
By Karl Moore
As many managers know, there is no such thing as a cultural transplant, especially as an organization moves from the bricks and mortar world to the virtual world. There are right and wrong ways of managing the transformation and some business models have a better chance of managing it than others. And as this author points out, one model is particularly better than most others in accommodating the newly formed e-business culture.
Countries as brands
By Nicolas Papadopoulos and Louise Heslop
To consumers and other buyers abroad, Canadian products look and feel good. So then, why don't those same buyers perceive Canadian products like they do those with a "Made in Japan" or "Made in Italy" label? If you answer that Canadian products abroad have in image problem, you're right. Research conducted by these authors not only documents that image problem but describes the factors that cause the problem.
Finding your way through the jungle
By David Tait and Larry Guevel
The shortest distance in the supply chain today is no longer along a straight line. In fact, say the authors, suppliers and participants in any supply chain today must adapt to the supply chain of today, Net Markets. Of course, there is a particular Net market
behaviour, and as the authors describe it, it becomes clear that companies can either transform themselves or not. Those who choose to remain the same and not adapt will soon fade into history.
Competitive advantage: Attributes of high-performance research organizations
By George A. Neufeld, Peter A. Simeoni and Marilyn A. Taylor
Assessing the quality of management in any organization is as much an art as it is a science. Moreover, the approach to assessing varies widely from organization to organization. However, this does not have to be the case, as these authors point out. Managers can develop a set of attributes, or measurements, that boards of directors and senior executives can repeatedly use to determine whether or not an organization is on track.
The global investment boom: Prosperity or the poorhouse?
By Stephen S. Poloz
The revolution in technology and the boom in global investing may be very real, but they can create false hopes and even shocks. Managers must be fully aware of the forces driving the boom. Failing to understand the full implications of the undercurrents in the global economy, says this author, can lead us all to the poorhouse
Departments
Entrepreneurs
What's the stuff of an entrepreneur?
By Jim Hatch and Jeffrey Zweig
Entrepreneurs are widely perceived as having been superb students, athletes and simply outstanding in almost every aspect. But, say the authors of this article, that is not the case. Many successful entrepreneurs, from those who today head billion-dollar dot-coms to others who are sole operators were indifferent students and athletes. In fact, they were distinctly unremarkable. What did - and does - set them apart is the Entrepreneurial Spirit, which they have in abundance, and which any entrepreneur must have to win.
Asian Influence
China's environmental mess: Implications for Canadian business
By Nicolino Strizzi and Robert T. Stranks
China's land, air and water are so heavily contaminated that will take years and billions of dollars to clean them up. But while the situation may seem ripe for Canadian business, managers and operators must heed the reliable adage of caveat emptor. Before any Canadian business walks in and tries to vy for contracts, its executives and managers should read this article and follow at least some of its suggestions for doing business in China.
Headstart
Advisory Boards in larger companies
By Bill Dimma
Advisory boards play a key role in good corporate governance, and as this recognized author points, there offer advantages and disadvantages compared to full legal boards. As he points out. Advisory boards can and do add value, provided the circumstances are right. He then describes the best uses of advisory boards.
Building a winning e-business
By Simon Parmar, J. Kevin Bright and E.F. Peter Newson
The big idea is the foundation or raison d'etre of an e-business, but the idea alone won't make the business stand out from the big and faceless crowd of other dot-coms. What's also needed, say these authors, is a winning concept, a strong management team and an attractive market.
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